February 4th, 2008
Business Lessons from Football
We haven’t had much football stuff this year. Da Bears missed the playoffs, wait until next year. Devin Hestor is the most exciting player in the NFL based upon his ability to return kicks. If the Patriots had Devin, they would be champs again. All of us Chicago fans know he would have returned one yesterday.
Last year was historic with 2 black coaches in the super bowl. We learned that soft player coaches can win in big time sports.Lovie Smith may be too much of a player’s coach and we saw the results.
This year we have the ultimate in “old school coaches” Coaches Belichick and Coughlin are cut from the same cloth. If you screwed upped for last years coaches, Dungy and Smith, you might get a hug or a pat on the back, along with a compassionate plea to do better next time. Belichick and Coughlin would kick your ass verbally and would not care who was around to hear it. To point is old school can still work.
Both of these old school coaches had a theme or a goal for the year, The Pat’s, was play 60 minutes. Giants had a goal to win it all. Coughlin stayed the course of having strict rules,( be on time for meetings, no cell phones, no excuses) these were rules the players hated, but Coughlin stuck to his guns. He did make an adjustment; he kept his door open to speak with his players as needed. He improved his communication. This adjustment allowed for a super win, during a 6 loss season. He won over his team by communicating more.
Belichick has won 3 super bowls and is considered the game’s best coach. He was a horrible coach in Cleveland but made the most of his second chance. If he was black there would not have been a second chance for redemption Belichick has successfully molded a team with some super stars but no one is above the team. This part of his coaching is remarkable. His players are disappointed but what a season. They will be back.
In closing, I like the old school coaches better than the new school approach. White coaches have an advantage, they can be gruff and be screamers with little backlash. Black coaches have to be more careful. It is the same in management. My leadership style is a combination of the old and the new. What is yours?
February 4th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Interesting question.
I’m the Director of a small non profit organization and In my position I am surrounded by black employees and volunteers but I have one lone white lady who works with us and she has actually blended right in. I make it my business to include her in communications. she is partnered with a very strong willed black lady so when I meet with the two of them I always ask them both for their opinion, suggestions and ideas. I have learned that communication is key 100% of the time. The way you talk to, deal with and approach people can make a world of difference.
February 5th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Reginia, thanks for the excellent advice and insight to your leadership style. I have found that when you have the opportunity to have an intimate understanding of what makes your people tick,you are able to reach a comfort level and become a part of their total world.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:44 am
here in cleveland, we got romeo who is a laid back, players coach. these players love this guy. x and o wise, romeo lacks a lot, but the way they respond to him is priceless. i think you need to balance both and just be a honest man.
February 11th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Romo is a 3 time Super Bowl winner and that provides credibility, I think brothers are forced to be laid back
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:00 am
what about Turkey footbal teams , i am sure some body heared Fenerbahce, Galatasaray
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:47 am
I like Vince Lombardi’s approach when asked about losing a game, he said “we didn’t lose, rather we just ran out of time”